Every time we travel to Sun Moon Lake in Nantou, we almost always stop by "Ita Thao Old Street" for a stroll. We really enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Ita Thao, where you can walk around while enjoying delicious food, admire the lake views of Sun Moon Lake, and the overall travel pace feels very comfortable.
This time we arrived at Ita Thao Old Street close to dusk, and Sun Moon Lake looked especially beautiful at this hour. The lake surface shimmered with ripples, complemented by mountain scenery and a cool evening breeze—perfect for sitting by the lake and zoning out.
The snacks along Ita Thao Old Street are still plentiful, and we always end up eating while walking. Although we had already eaten before arriving, we still quietly bought a few of our favorite snacks.
Ita Thao Old Street is located on the southeast shore of Sun Moon Lake. It is one of the most popular tourist areas around Sun Moon Lake and a place many people visit when planning an independent trip to Sun Moon Lake.
The old street is right next to Ita Thao Pier. Besides delicious snacks, there are also many souvenir shops, indigenous specialty stores, and lakeside walking paths. The atmosphere differs between day and night.
Transportation to Ita Thao Old Street:
If driving, simply navigate to "Ita Thao Pier" or "Ita Thao Old Street." There are several parking lots around Sun Moon Lake, but on holidays and long weekends the crowds are heavy, so arriving early is recommended for easier parking.
If using public transportation, you can take a bus from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake, then transfer to the lakeside bus to reach Ita Thao.
Many people also choose to take the Sun Moon Lake cruise boat directly from Shuishe Pier to Ita Thao Pier—after disembarking, you are right in the bustling old street area, which is very convenient.
Ita Thao Old Street is not very long, but the entire street is lined with snack and food stalls. Eating while walking can easily fill you up without realizing it. Many people buy snacks and then sit by the lake to enjoy the scenery.
Dula White Eel Stick
Every time I come to Ita Thao, I almost always buy Dula White Eel Stick. The first time I saw the name, I thought it was quite unique. In reality, it is mochi wrapped around a bamboo stick and drizzled with different flavored sauces. It tastes soft and chewy with a subtle charcoal-grilled aroma.
This time we bought one condensed milk flavor and one honey flavor. The condensed milk version has a more noticeable milky aroma, while the honey version adds a sweet fragrance. Holding the bamboo stick while eating as we walked really gave off that old-street snack vibe.
Nianji Mushroom Cabbage Bun – Limited Sales
Another favorite of ours is the mushroom cabbage bun. This shop is quite famous in Ita Thao; every time we pass by, we see many people queuing. Each one costs 60 NTD and is quite large, stuffed full of cabbage and mushrooms, giving it a nostalgic old-fashioned taste.
The outer skin is extremely crispy. One bite reveals it is packed with mushrooms, cabbage, and glass noodles. The filling has a rich pepper aroma and the natural sweetness of vegetables—truly delicious. Those who like spice are recommended to add chili sauce for more layered flavor!
Wild Boar Skewers and Sausages
The kids also bought wild boar skewers and sausages. Ita Thao actually has quite a few indigenous-style snacks, and the aroma of grilled meat drifts along the street.
Besides walk-and-eat snacks, the old street also has many stir-fry and indigenous-style restaurants. This time, Big Kiddo’s dad spotted a roadside shop grilling whole chickens in an earthenware jar, the aroma wafting out, and his eyes lit up immediately, saying he wanted to go in and eat.
In the end, our family’s appetite was too weak—after a few snacks, no one could eat any more, so we had to save that fragrant jar-grilled chicken for next time!
When visiting Ita Thao Old Street, you can also conveniently explore many nearby Sun Moon Lake attractions, such as: Sun Moon Lake Cable Car, Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, Shuishe Pier, Xiangshan Visitor Center, and Ci’en Pagoda. Many people also arrange a boat tour or bike around the lake—making for a very fulfilling day.
Ita Thao Old Street is one of our favorite Sun Moon Lake spots. It offers not only delicious snacks but also beautiful lake views and a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for a leisurely stroll. Especially at dusk it is truly stunning—buy some snacks, sit by the lake, feel the breeze, and watch the sunset slowly descend. That is truly one of the most comfortable moments of travel.
If you plan a trip to Sun Moon Lake in the future, we highly recommend setting aside some time to visit Ita Thao Old Street—eat, stroll, and enjoy the scenery. It will leave you feeling very relaxed.
■ See more Nantou travel and food:
https://eeooa0314.tw/blog/categories/9003734048
⚠️ Notes:
Everyone’s experience and feelings about travel, attractions, or dining may differ. This article is based on personal experience only—feel free to use it as a reference and decide for yourself whether to visit.
It is recommended to check information before departing to ensure a smoother and more enjoyable trip!